Comment: Can M&S replicate international success at home?

Marks & Spencer's international growth could re-invigorate the business at home and away.

French consumers can't seem to get enough of Marks & Spencer.

In the land of haute couture and haute cuisine chic Parisiennes are kitting themselves out in the retailer's Autograph fashion lines and gourmets are piling their plates high with British culinary favourities such as curries and crumpets.

M&S crossed the channel again to reopen stores in 2011, a decade after sounding the retreat while under pressure at home. It generated sales in France last year of £50m.

Such has been its success in France and elsewhere that the retailer intends to ramp up international...